Use of rainwater

[maltaron]

I recently started a topic on use of rainwater for domestic hot water and received valuable advice. see:
www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=186561

I have carried out further research and came across this:
http://www.lowimpact.org/factsheet_rainwater_harvesting.htm

This contradicts (but not invalidates) the advice given and I would be interested in further comments.

 

[doitall]

I think the word illegal is very wrong, in other words you can drink what you like, provided it isn't from a water supplier where it has to meet strict european standards.

However saying that, Atmospheric pollution is the biggest killer from all known Cancers in this Country.

It is well known that acid rain from industry is especially bad, leave your car on the drive in a rain storm and see how dirty it is when it dries, another good test is to peg a white linen cloth on the line, and watch it change colour over a couple of weeks.

Collect rain for the garden and outside use for sure but in the house is not practical or cost effective, and it sure as hell isn't environmentally friendly.

 

[maltaron]

Many thanks for your reply, Doitall, and valued comments. However, since I moved to Cornwall 3 years ago I have not washed my car more than once, and that was road muck. Our rain down here, and plenty of it, almost all comes directly from the Atlantic so I would think is relatively clean. However, your comments are valued and I will not proceed other than for toilet flushing until I have had tests on the water quality.

 

[doitall]

You need to test it over a 6months period, take particular note of the very high salt content through the winter.

As I said hang a white linen cloth on the line for a few weeks, you will be very surprised.

 

[Agile]

Collect rain for the garden and outside use for sure but in the house is not practical or cost effective, and it sure as hell isn't environmentally friendly.

Whilst I appreciate that for DIA its not cost effective but thats only because he pays a fixed amount for water rates and uses as much as he wants!

Most of us in the cities pay for water by meter and I have calculated that by using rain water just for toilet flushing I could provide all my needs most of the time and save about £200 per annum! The cost would be less than £20 because I already have recovered tanks and a shower pump.

The only limitation is that during dry spells there will be a need to top up the supply from paid for mains water.

Tony

 

[doitall]

I suggest you go back to the drawing board Tony if you think you use over 200M³ of water flushing the loo.

As an example My snooker club uses approximately 4M³ a year at 86p a M³

The outlay and running costs, would quadruple the cost of using tap water.

 

[holty]

Many thanks for your reply, Doitall, and valued comments. However, since I moved to Cornwall 3 years ago I have not washed my car more than once, and that was road muck. Our rain down here, and plenty of it, almost all comes directly from the Atlantic so I would think is relatively clean. However, your comments are valued and I will not proceed other than for toilet flushing until I have had tests on the water quality.

must live in a different cornwall to me. does rain alot though,you must have a teflon coated car.cornwall is renowned for acidic water.trust me i see enough corrosion due to it.

 

[maltaron]

Regarding the cost of water, doitall suggests 0.86 a M3. I am on a meter and it costs over £4.00 a M3. My toilet flushing system cost just over £150 including IBC tank, modifications to rainwater & toilet piping and pump & switching for pump. Two of us in the bungalow use 1000litres in two weeks, thats just over 18months payback time. I am lucky enough to have a river alongside my garden if we run out of rainwater. And regarding acidic water, I think Cornwalls rain water is relatively clean but once it is in the ground much is contaminated by groundwater from old mine workings, the river alongside me comes from the old South Caradon mine and I will not use that to water my veg, allthough it seems OK for the toilet.

 

[doitall]

£4 a M³ you must be having a laugh.

I did look up my latest bill.

09/01/09 to 31/03/09 £105.44 pence per cubic metre.

01/04/09 to 01/07/09 £107.97 pence per cubic metre.

Sewerage for the same period £150.85 and £161.39 per cubic metre, although I assume they guess that.

 

[kevplumb]

Sewerage for the same period £150.85 and £161.39 per cubic metre, although I assume they guess that. icon_eek.gif

na they have a camera in yer crapper john

or you could pay a "lump" sum

 

[maltaron]

DIA You should recheck your water bill. The water price is just 1 part. Add in sewerage charge and Standing charges you will find it much more than just water. From 27/03 to 26/06 this year 20 cubic meters was £93.74, thats total of £4.68 per M3 allthough water is £1.69.
This is my bill:

View media item 13984
South West Water is the most expensive in the country but we have to pay for the tourists and cleaning the beaches.

 

[doitall]

Not so Maltaron the standing charges you will pay whether you use any water or not.

You are paying £1.57 & £1.69 per cubic metre for you water, plus another £2 to get rid of it once you have it

Of course, technically you could be saving nearly £4 a cubic metre, because the sewerage is linked to the water usage, meaning if you don't use mains water then you don't use the loo/bath, but then again they maybe on to that little loop hole.

 

[D_Hailsham]

09/01/09 to 31/03/09 £105.44 pence per cubic metre.

01/04/09 to 01/07/09 £107.97 pence per cubic metre.

The Pound sign is confusing Makes it seem as if the price is 105.44 pounds per cubic metre!!

Sewerage for the same period £150.85 and £161.39 per cubic metre, although I assume they guess that.

If you are on a water meter, there is a formula, based on the amount of water used. In my area the formula assumes that 92.5% of water used is returned to the sewers. Don't know how they do it when the cost is based on rateable value.

Malatron
When did you last provide them with actual meter readings? Your bill is based on two estimated readings!

 

[Agile]

For those who cannot understand what they are discussing as well as misleading posts.

When you pay for water you pay a supply charge of about £1.50 per m³

But you ALSO have to pay to put it back into the sewer at another £1.80 per m³ so that makes it about £3-£4 per m³.

My saving of about £200 by harvesting rain water for toilets takes into account the real cost of water charges.

Tony

 

[doitall]

Yes Tony but you still have to pay the Sewerage charges

And since they won't be metered they will be the ratable value of the property and more than.